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San Juan County Fair dog show shows off canine contestants' skills

By Leigh Black Irvin The Daily Times

Updated:
08/06/2013 09:40:21 PM MDT

Squeek and owner, Bethany Parks, navigates through a series of cones during the showmanship portion of dog show at the San Juan County Fair, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013 at the Memorial Coliseum at McGee Park Fairgrounds. (Jon Austria The Daily Times)

FARMINGTON — The San Juan County Fair's dog show gave several pups and their owners a chance to demonstrate their skills at McGee Park's Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday.

Three members of the County Rebels 4-H Club brought mixed-breed dogs to compete in the show. Unlike competitions sponsored by the American Kennel Club, 4-H shows welcome any breed of dog.

Twelve-year-old Bethany Parks and her dog, Squeeky, competed against the other five canine contestants. Squeeky, a 7-year-old pug/beagle/Chihuahua mix, has been competing in the fair's dog show for the past three years. Last year, Parks and Squeeky earned the award for high point novice.

RESULTS

Showmanship, junior

First place: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Second place: Serena Arnold and Annie

Showmanship, senior

First place: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Second place: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Obedience, junior pre-novice

First place: Serena Arnold and Annie

Second place: Carolyn Shannon and Athena

Obedience, junior novice

First place: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Obedience, senior pre-novice

First place: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Second place: Danielle Nelson and Baloo

Rally, junior novice

First place: Carolyn Shannon and Athena

Second place: Serena Arnold and Annie

Rally, junior advance

First place: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Rally, senior novice

First place: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Rally, senior advance

First place: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Second place: Danielle Nelson and Baloo

Agility, junior novice

First place: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Second place: Serena Arnold and Annie

Agility, senior novice

First place: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Second place: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Agility, senior open

First place: Danielle Nelson and Baloo

Senior Grand Champion Showmanship: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Senior Reserve Showmanship: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Senior Overall Obedience Champion: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Junior Overall Obedience Champion: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Senior Agility Champion: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Junior Agility Champion: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Junior Overall High-Point: Bethany Parks and Squeeky

Junior Reserve High-Point: Serena Arnold and Annie

Senior High-Point: Danielle Nelson and Pixie

Senior Reserve High-Point: Rashel Korte and Seemore

Senior Web Top Dog Traveling Trophy: Rashel Korte and Seemore

In addition to the dog show, Parks enjoys entering other exhibits in fair competitions, such as photography, cake decorating and baking. The fair's dog show, however, is one of her favorites.

"I just basically love dogs, and I love practicing," she said. "My favorite (category) is rally."

In addition to the rally category -- during which the handler gives the dog instructions to follow -- the dogs must also show their control and prowess during the categories of obedience, showmanship and agility.

Danielle Nelson, 16, brought her 3-year-old full-bred, AKC-qualified collie, Pixie, to the show for the second year in a row. Pixie took home this year's Grand Championship for Senior Showmanship.

"I've been training dogs for seven years," said Nelson, who also entered her Australian Koolie in the show. "It's a hobby I really love to do, because it gives you a good, trained dog."

Sheri Korte has been the leader of the Country Rebels 4-H club for the past eight years and has taught the kids how to handle their dogs and be responsible and patient with them during training.

"It's very gratifying because the kids work so hard, and they get that sense of accomplishment at the end," she said.